Australian scientists uncover potential for new diabetes therapies

Australian researchers have discovered a type of fat in the body that may play an important role in protecting against diabetes, according to a research released on Friday.

Dr. Paul Lee from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research wondered whether brown fat could affect the concentration of glucose in the blood and if brown fat-targeted therapies could help control diabetes.

"Previously, we showed that individuals with large brown fat stores tend to be lean and have lower blood glucose -- and now, we have uncovered a potential link between brown fat activity and blood glucose variations," Lee said.

"Our findings indicate that brown fat might act as a 'glucose buffer,' lessening the variation in blood glucose and potentially diminishing metabolic stresses that could increase the risk of diabetes."

Lee also added that brown fat-based therapies are potentially promising in the fight against diabetes in the future, but also urged caution.

"The study brings brown fat into the frame for developing diabetes therapies," he said.

"If we can pinpoint what switches brown fat's activity on and off during the day, we may identify new targets in drug design."

Researchers measured brown fat activity over 12 hours in 15 healthy volunteers, detected by the heat it generated on the skin.

The total annual cost impact of diabetes in Australia is estimated at 14.6 billion Australian dollars (10.94 billion U.S. dollars), according to Diabetes Australia. Endit